How to Accessorize: The Rule of 3 and Odd Numbers

How to Accessorize

First, let’s start with a disclaimer – I always break the rules. I get excited, bored, change my mind, move something, buy something, sell something, break something – you get the idea. My home is ever-evolving and in the process, rules (and many other things) get broken. Capiche?

So that being said, let’s start with some accessorizing ideas involving theRule of 3….

I use the Rule of 3daily in my decorating adventures; whether I’m hanging artwork, adding toss cushionsto a couch or dressing a mantel. It’s a great way to create interest and add a dynamic and decorative slant to a space without running the risk of ‘over-decorating’ or breaking the budget on a whack-load of crap. .

Generally, things that appear in 3’s are more appealing, memorable and definitive. 3 also helps us with the illusion of symmetry or balance. Now you may think that you’d get more symmetrywith 2 items – left/right, top/bottom, first/last. However, in decorating you need to tweak your thinking to accomodate a ‘center’with a balancing item on either side – aka – symmetry or balance.

So blah blah de blah – let’s get on to the pictures!

There are 2 groups of 3 here – the stack of 3 books and the the 3 accessories.

This little set of 3 sayings would lose impact if it was separated (as do most collections). It also serves to blend in the light switch!

Keep your peepers peeled in this photo…how many groups of 3 do you see?

This grouping of 3 canvases makes an impact because it’s proportional to the wall space and the loveseat. If it were a set of 2 it would not be as powerful and would lack the scale it needed to complement the fireplace.

____________________

Now let’s look at Odd Numbers (I am one myself…)

Odd numbers often pop up in decor – the number 1 on small pieces or statement pieces and up to 5 on larger or longer pieces.

This beautiful table was just begging PLEASE for a plant for a few reasons.

#1 – The shape of the plant complements the round top of the table while still letting the wood show and

#2 – With all of the warm tones around it, the cool tones of the plant added balance to the space (also notice the group of 3 books under the table – I’m so sneaky smart)

This great little side table is a plethora (I hate that word – sounds like something to do with giving birth) of odd numbers.

#1 – The lamp, the bowl and the books/bird act like a group of 3 which gives the setting a great foundation.

#2 – There is the 1 bird and 1 ball

#3 – The stack of 3 books

#4 – The lamp, the 3 books, the bowl, the ball and the bird add up to be 5 things – okay, I’m just stretching things here but you get the idea, right?

___________________

Well, I have exhausted my brain and my math skills with this one – hope you enjoyed it!

Share this!

Legal Notice: All the information and Kylie M Interiors watermarked images are the property of Kylie M Interiors, all rights reserved. Please just ask if you would like to borrow any of my images (with full credit) and I’m sure that I’ll be happy to oblige